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On Wednesday, 28 May, a ceremony was held in Mönsterås, Sweden to mark the start of construction of Södra’s new kraft lignin plant. The facility is an important step in Södra’s strategy to make more from every tree and develop its business by adding new bio-based products. Source: Timberbiz Lignin is a natural substance found in trees and acts as a binding agent between the fibres. Lignin is released during pulp production and is currently used mainly for energy generation. With this new plant, Södra will be able to separate and dry kraft lignin, making it possible to replace fossil materials in, for example, adhesives, batteries, rubber and composites. The kraft lignin can also be used as the building block for new biofuels and biostimulants. The new plant will cover an area of 1,400 m² and be built on a prepared site at Södra’s existing combined facility in Mönsterås. The facility is scheduled for completion in 2027 and will then be the first commercial plant of its kind in Sweden and the world’s largest producer of kraft lignin. Magnus Hall, Chair of Södra, Lotta Lyrå, CEO of Södra, Allan Widman, County Governor in Kalmar Municipality, Clara Helstad from the Swedish Energy Agency, Karin Dernegård, Mill Manager of Södra Cell Mönsterås and Johannes Bogren, Business Area President of Södra Bioproducts took part in the ceremony to mark the start of construction. “The construction start symbolises a huge step forward, driven by innovation and long-term investments. With this new plant, we are creating a completely new business operation at Södra that will support the green transition, increase profitability and strengthen the value of forest estates,” said Johannes Bogren, Business Area President of Södra Bioproducts. Investment in both the environment and the local community For Mönsterås, the establishment will not only add new jobs but also greater industrial expertise, as well as enhancing its attractiveness as a sustainable industrial site. “We estimate that the new plant could create 25 new jobs. Being home to a world-leading kraft lignin plant puts Mönsterås on the map both nationally and internationally,” said Karin Dernegård, Mill Manager for Södra Cell Mönsterås. The plant is being constructed with support from the Swedish Energy Agency’s Industrial Leap (Sw. Industriklivet), a government programme that supports technology investments aimed at reducing the climate impact of industry. The Industrial Leap is part of the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), which is the centrepiece of the NextGenerationEU package.  

The new Komatsu 895.3 comes fitted with the new powerful 205F crane, new large G88H grapple and rotator with a redesigned frame, upgraded load space and bunks with optional telescopic functions. Source: Timberbiz The 205F is a new Komatsu crane with 205KNm lifting torque and 51.9kNm slewing torque. It has been developed with a focus on increased productivity in final felling especially in forest plantations. The crane has a robust welded crane pillar together with the inner and outer booms provide good lift capacity and lifting geometry. It has optional reach of 7.5m/8.5m with single telescopic or 10m with double telescopic booms. The machine’s reinforced frame system, including articulating frame and bearings have been designed to handle the increased crane capacity and new load space. The more robust frame provides improved durability in tough environments. An updated hydraulic system is equipped with a new larger hydraulic pump adapted for the new crane. It is electrically controlled for improved response and control resulting in smoother pressure levels and improved efficiency. A larger hydraulic tank developed for a single filter instead of double filter, simplifies maintenance. The new Komatsu 895.3 with HD Transmission, redesigned frame, large load capacity, new 205F crane and G88H rotator take the machine to another production level.

Ministers of Agriculture and Forestry from Pacific Island countries endorsed the Growing the Pacific 2050 Strategy for Agriculture and Forestry at the 4th Meeting of the Pacific Ministers of Agriculture and Forestry, held in Nuku’alofa, Tonga. Source: Timberbiz The 4th Ministerial Meeting concluded the Pacific Week of Agriculture and Forestry (PWAF), hosted by the Kingdom of Tonga and supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Pacific Community (SPC). The Growing the Pacific 2050 Strategy is anchored in five interwoven strategic pathways — healthy, regenerative, secure, integrated, and enabled — which collectively guide transformative action across the agriculture and forestry sectors. These pathways underpin eight catalytic initiatives (2025–2030), which include promoting One Health and regenerative practices; advancing afforestation and climate-resilient systems; strengthening biosecurity and agrobiodiversity; supporting agribusiness and exports; and enhancing data, knowledge, and education systems to build future talent. This endorsement marks a major milestone in the region’s collective commitment to building resilient, sustainable, and inclusive agrifood systems for the future. The Minister of Agriculture, Food and Forestry of Tonga, Honourable Dr Siosiua Moala Halavatau set the tone for the ministerial meeting in his opening remarks by urging continued collaboration among Pacific Islands to tackle shared challenges such as out-migration, an aging farmer population, and climate change. “Agriculture and forestry are vital for the Pacific, as they are the backbones of our economies and the foundation of our food security. But they face significant challenges,” said Dr Halavatau. “Partnership brings us together today in a genuine effort to work together towards a vibrant, sustainable, and resilient future for Pacific peoples and countries.” FAO Subregional Coordinator for the Pacific Islands, Guangzhou Qu, who reaffirmed FAO’s support for the region, emphasized that traditional practices and knowledge in the Pacific provide scalable solutions for climate resilience and sustainable production. “Guided by examples from across our Pacific nations, we envision a future where healthy soils thrive, farmer organizations lead, transparent data informs our decisions, and biodiversity flourishes,” said Qu. “By empowering our youth and integrating indigenous knowledge, we can drive innovation that transforms Pacific agrifood systems, leaving no one behind.” SPC’s Deputy Director-General (Science and Capability), Dr Paula Vivili, reiterated the cultural significance of food in the Pacific. “Let us also not forget that food is identity in the Pacific. Our region has immense food heritage and genetic wealth. We must protect it, celebrate it, and build systems that ensure its benefits for Pacific people,” he said. “Today, through discussions on invasive species, climate-informed food systems planning, and domestic production, we are collectively shaping strategies that are tailored, timely, and rooted in national priorities.” The transformation of agriculture and forestry for more regeneration, productivity, and resilience was the central theme of the Pacific Week of Agriculture and Forestry. This biannual week-long event was officially opened by Her Royal Highness Princess Sinaitakala Tukuaho of the Kingdom of Tonga. PWAF brought together governments, NGOs, community-based organizations, and the private sector to chart a transformative path for agriculture and forestry in the region. Hosted by the Government of Tonga’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forests, PWAF served as an essential platform for sharing knowledge, aligning strategies, and driving collective action toward resilient and sustainable food systems across the Pacific. The fifth PWAF will be hosted by the Solomon Islands in 2027, as agreed by Pacific countries and territories. FAO and SPC, as key technical and resource partners in the region, reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Pacific Island Countries in tackling climate change, food insecurity, and environmental degradation, working collaboratively in building a more resilient and sustainable future for all.  

World leading chainsaw brand, Stihl, has launched the second year of its Chainsaw Safety Week in Australia. From Monday, June 2 to June 8, Stihl is determined to continue building awareness of the necessary safety precautions for operating a chainsaw this winter and beyond. Source: Timberbiz Chainsaws are powerful tools-indispensable for professionals and weekend warriors alike. But with power comes risk, and every year, improper use leads to thousands of injuries, many of them easily preventable with training. With over 600 Stihl dealerships around the country and the largest market share of chainsaw sales in Australia, Stihl is committed to the safe and proper use of chainsaws. “At Stihl, we’re committed to making sure that Australians are putting their safety first,” Stihl Australia managing director Leeson Brook said. “As Australia’s most trusted brand for chainsaws and outdoor power equipment, we recognise we have a role to play to support the safe use of these essential tools.” Stihl launched the campaign with a donation to Disaster Relief Australia (DRA), supplying them with $10,000 worth of equipment to support their vital work in keeping Australian communities safe in the aftermath of destructive weather events, such as the recent Cyclone Alfred and Victorian fires. As the control agency of flood and storm, DRA unites the skills and experience of veterans and other dedicated volunteers, harnessing their extensive training and substantial experience of Chainsaw Operations, to safely support communities and remove trees down over roads and properties and help to repair building damage. “Proper preparation beforehand can be the main difference for your property surviving a disaster,” a DRA representative said. “Identifying any hazardous trees or branches that need to be dealt with before the season starts. Whether you’re using a chainsaw, pole saw, brush cutter or even just a blower to undertake any of these tasks yourself, it is crucial that you understand the risks involved and know how to operate the equipment safely.” Chainsaw Safety: Not Just for the Pros Stihl’s campaign isn’t just aimed at seasoned arborists or forestry workers. The other target is the occasional user, the DIY enthusiast who fires up a chainsaw for a backyard project, often without giving safety more than a passing thought. For these users, a moment’s inattention or a missing piece of protective gear can have life-altering consequences. The Five-Minute Rule The message is simple but vital: take five minutes before you start. Five minutes to check your gear, inspect your chainsaw, and clear your work area. It’s a small investment of time that can prevent catastrophic injuries. Stihl’s safety checklist is straightforward: Wear snug-fitting, cut-resistant clothing, steel-toed boots, gloves, and full head, face, and hearing protection. Inspect your chainsaw for sharpness, proper tension, and intact safety devices- never use a damaged or improperly maintained tool. Clear your work area of tripping hazards, bystanders, and overhead dangers, and always be mindful of weather conditions that could add risk. Stihl has engineered their chainsaws with numerous safety features, from reduced-kickback chains to chain brakes and ergonomic designs. But as the company itself points out, “user safety really does begin with you”. No amount of technology can substitute for personal vigilance and proper preparation; this is where the messaging of safety through the appropriate personal protection equipment (PPE) is vital. Chainsaw Safety Week isn’t just about checklists, it’s about changing attitudes towards chainsaws. Safety needs to be second nature, not an afterthought. STIHL’s outreach, from online tips and quizzes to in-store advice, is designed to make safety part of the chainsaw experience, not an optional extra. Stihl Chainsaw Safety Week is a timely reminder that taking a few minutes to prepare, suit up, and check your equipment is not just good practice – it’s a responsibility to yourself, your family, and your community. Let’s make chainsaw safety more than a weeklong campaign. Let’s make it a habit, every time we pick up the saw.

Frame & Truss Manufacturers Association (FTMA) state seminars have solidified their place as an integral event in the fabricator calendar, bringing together fabricators, expert speakers, and valued partners. Source: Timberbiz So far FTMA has run state seminars in SA, NSW & QLD in collaboration with three principal partners, Mitek, Multinail and Pryda, who have all run morning sessions. The morning nail plate sessions were an invaluable opportunity for fabricators to engage directly with their nail plate companies, Multinail, MiTek, and Pryda, and fellow fabricators. These events showcase the latest developments in software, services, and machinery, providing crucial insights to enhance fabricators’ operations. With dedicated time to explore innovative advancements, attendees gain knowledge essential to staying competitive and efficient. After lunch, the FTMA seminars kicked off and for three hours, delegates not only had the opportunity of listening to the following speakers but also participated in workshops to provide crucial feedback on key industry initiatives. Tim Woods and Jim Houghton recently completed a major study for the Australian industry, funded, supported and launched by Forest & Wood Products Australia. The More Houses Sooner – Finding the Australian Dream report provides clear clues and scenarios that show a pathway for fabricators and the timber supply chain and explains why that is vital to Australia’s future prosperity. Members were left shocked when they realised that it has been 40 years since we have been able to build enough homes for Australians. We used to build roughly 60 homes for every 100 Australians; this has now dropped to only 23 homes for every 100 persons. For more information visit https://ftmanews.com

Veteran developer Barrie Harrop has revived plans for a $250m timber hotel in the heart of the Adelaide CBD, with construction set to kick off before the end of the year. Source: Timberbiz The 31-level tower will be built behind and above an existing office tower, the heritage-listed former MLC building at 187 Victoria Square. The project was first announced in 2022. Green Street News reports that the carbon-neutral development building, designed by Cox Architecture and to be built out of cross-laminated timber and green steel, will offer 324 hotel suites, 20 residential apartments and four sub-penthouses. Tier-one builder Multiplex is set to build the upmarket lifestyle hotel, which will be operated by a “globally recognised international hotelier”. Green Street News reports that the property could welcome guests by late 2026 or early 2027. “The development is being undertaken by Thrive Construct, which Harrop runs with fellow Adelaide developer Peter Villis. The firm focuses on carbon-neutral projects using modular or prefabricated construction techniques.

This year marks a decade since Scion adopted unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as a research tool forging a path towards more effective forest management. Source: Timberbiz A pioneer in the field of UAV research, the Crown Research Institute bought its first drone in February 2015. Since then, UAVs have become a key tool for aerial data capture, for use in high-definition mapping and monitoring of forests. Scion also uses them for 3D modelling, sample collection, sub-canopy data captures and various types of imaging across multiple programs. It is the only Crown Research Institute with Civil Aviation Authority Part 102 higher tier certification, which enables it to undertake UAV activity outside what standard operational licences allow. Scion scientist Robin Hartley says UAVs add a lot of value to the organisation’s research. “We regularly capture high-definition LIDAR for measuring trees. We can get ultra high-resolution maps of stands and trials, we are capturing spectral and thermal data to understand more about tree physiology remotely, and we’re working with companies to develop UAV spray systems specific to forestry needs. We’re also exploring niche areas such as sub-canopy flying for characterising stem and branch structure and collecting upper canopy samples.” The autonomous systems team has worked with other teams across Scion and industry over the past 10 years to enable them to adopt UAV technologies. “There is plenty of potential for UAVs to be used for other purposes within research and commercial forest management, too, such as forest inventory, phenotyping and manual applications such as spraying and planting,” Mr Hartley said. It all started in 2012, when research group leader David Pont was a scientist monitoring the development of UAVs and miniaturised laser scanning technologies. By 2015 a commercially available scanner had been matched to a drone from Aeronavics, a NZ-based UAV company working with the Hollywood film industry. At the time, a geomatics team was being formed at Scion that comprised scientists with expertise in airborne LiDAR. A state-of-the-art LidarPod weighing 3kg was bought from Scotland, and the Scion team ordered the largest UAV they could find to carry it. This UAV gave Scion a modern way to laser scan forest stands. Scion staff Toby Stovold, Kane Fleet and Marie Heaphie (who has since left the organisation), learned to fly a small UAV, which meant when the larger craft arrived, they were ready to deploy it for forestry research. The wider industry took notice as the technology continued to develop. Several forestry companies have since invested in trials and built their own in-house UAV capacity. The strong industry adoption was highlighted in a 2020 study that showed 83% of forestry companies in NZ use UAVs to capture aerial imagery, compared with none in an earlier 2013 survey. Scion also helped set up the Tools for Foresters (TFF) industry initiative, which connects researchers and foresters using UAVs in forests to share research, knowledge and resources. This helps enhance UAV technology development and encourage adoption of these tools. Timberlands inventory manager Michael Wilson says Scion’s work with UAVs over the past decade has helped shape how his company uses the technology in forest management operations. “Scion’s work helped us see what was possible with drone technology – from precision aerial mapping to advanced canopy analysis – and gave us the confidence to invest in UAVs ourselves. It’s hard to imagine modern forest management without them now.” Mr Hartley says Scion continues to work with forest managers to develop systems that are relevant and cost-effective. “A recent survey showed a 20% increase across some key UAV uses that have been developed and promoted through TFF.” Scion’s autonomous systems team is focused on advancing techniques for the capture and use of LiDAR, photogrammetry and thermal and multi-spectral imagery.

A new AI system that can automatically identify contaminated construction and demolition wood waste has been developed by researchers from Monash University and Charles Darwin University (CDU). Source: Timberbiz Published in Resources, Conservation & Recycling, the study presents the first real-world image dataset of contaminated wood waste, a major step toward smarter recycling and sustainable construction. The research team, led by Madini De Alwis with Dr Milad Bazli (CDU), under the supervision of Associate Professor Mehrdad Arashpour, Head of Construction Engineering at Monash, trained and tested cutting-edge deep learning models to detect contamination types in wood waste using images. Contaminated wood from construction and demolition sites often ends up in landfill due to the difficulty of sorting it manually. But by applying AI models the team found strong precision and recall across six types of wood contamination. “We curated the first real-world image dataset of contaminated construction and demolition wood waste,” said Mr De Alwis, a PhD candidate at Monash’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. “This new system could be deployed via camera-enabled sorting lines, drones or handheld tools to support on-site decision-making.” While computer vision has been explored in general waste streams, its application to contaminated wood waste has remained limited, until now. “By fine-tuning state-of-the-art deep learning models, including CNNs and Transformers, we showed that these tools can automatically recognise contamination types in wood using everyday RGB images,” Dr Bazli said. Wood waste is one of the largest components of construction waste globally. Most of it can be recycled, but contamination from paint, chemicals, metals and other construction residues makes sorting difficult and costly. “This opens the door to scalable, AI-driven solutions that support wood waste reuse, recycling and reclamation,” Dr Bazli said. By integrating AI with waste management practices, the study supports Australia’s circular economy goals and the global push for greener construction. “This is a practical, scalable solution for a global waste problem. By enabling automated sorting, we’re giving recyclers and contractors a powerful tool to recover valuable resources and reduce landfill dependency,” Mr De Alwis said.

Millions of eucalypt and pine seedlings are being dispatched across NSW ahead of the annual State Forest planting season. Grown from seed at Forestry Corporation’s Grafton and Tumut nurseries these seedlings will provide NSW with sustainable timber resources for the future. Source: Timberbiz In coming months, the seedlings will be mostly planted by hand in recently harvested compartments, regrowing these forests with trees for the future. Forestry Corporation’s seedling stock will be supplemented with stock purchased from HQP in Queensland to produce the high-quality timber that is important to the plywood industry and used for furniture, veneer, joinery, panelling, particle board, flooring and boats. Forestry Corporation every year plants the equivalent of 14,000 football fields in plantations. Forestry Corporation’s nursery staff play a huge hand in increasing the state’s timber resources. “Our nurseries combined raise around 11 million new trees every year for the replanting of state forests across NSW. Most are grown from seed, while others are sourced externally to ensure a diverse and resilient plantation stock,” Grafton Nursery Manager Karen Morrow said. “Here in Grafton, we are currently dispatching 300,000 hardwood seedlings, 380,000 softwood seedlings and a heap of specialty seedling orders. “We have raised and dispatched 29,000 koala feed trees that will be hugely important in creating koala habitat through community and private property planting projects. “An additional 15,000 Christmas tree seedlings have just been dispatched, along with 6,000 eucalyptus seedings for a private customer and another 23,000 eucalyptus seedlings will be dispatched for planting in June,” she said. Mechanical planting of hoop pine is also set to start at Pikapene near Grafton. A large replanting program will see around 700,000 radiata seedlings planted in New England pine forests in the Walcha district. Half of those seedlings were transferred to Inverell for hardening in April, where they will stay until the plantings commence in July. Dispatch will also take place from the Tumut nursery, which focuses on radiata pine in areas like Tumut, Bombala and Bathurst. Every year NSW’s softwood plantations grow enough timber to build more than 40,000 homes a year. Hardwood forests continue to produce incredible engineered products, such as the timber interior of the Sydney Opera House, but it’s the everyday uses where the timber is most needed producing power poles, marine wharf piers, timber pallets, timber flooring, decking and furniture. Combined, the NSW forestry industry generates an estimated $2.4 billion for the economy employing 22,000 people in NSW. For more information on replanting programs and forest management visit www.forestrycorporation.com.au

Sterling Structural, a pioneer in domestically sourced and manufactured mass timber solutions in the United States, has officially joined the CLT Toolbox platform, a global design software platform that empowers structural engineers to specify timber faster, more accurately, and in line with real supplier data. Source: Timberbiz Designed to advance the adoption of sustainable timber construction across Australia, CLT Toolbox offers engineers, students, and timber enthusiasts’ access to cutting-edge tools and educational resources, empowering a new generation to contribute to a sustainable future. The platform enables education alongside design enabling engineers to use mass timber. Its mission is to make CLT design easy, accessible, and aligned with supply chain realities – broadening engineering capacity across the region. CLT Toolbox is gearing up for a major launch later this year with added modules for fire design, diaphragm design, shear walls, connection details, and much more. Sterling is the first US Cross Laminated Timber supplier to partner with CLT Toolbox, enabling engineers to design with Sterling’s panels directly within the platform. Through the beta program, users can now create designs using wall and floor calculators tailored to Sterling’s products. Sterling Structural is a division within Sterling Solutions, one of America’s leading manufacturers of sustainably sourced, domestically produced, high-quality and cost-effective Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) mats, panels and systems. “The addition of Sterling Structural’s CLT panels and systems to the Toolbox will help advance the adoption of CLT and mass timber projects across the US,” said Adam Jones, CEO of CLT Toolbox. “Sterling is a leading CLT manufacturer, and their inclusion in the Toolbox offers an immediate opportunity for engineers to incorporate CLT into their projects.” With Sterling now fully integrated, engineers can design with Sterling’s CLT and glulam products, and get: Full design integration of Sterling CLT panels Instant capacity checks and reports aligned with U.S. codes Specification-ready outputs that streamline documentation “We’re on a mission to bring mass timber to the masses, and the CLT Toolbox is an integral part of achieving that mission,” said Michaela Harms, Vice President of Mass Timber at Sterling Structural. “When we make it easy to design for CLT and mass timber, we make it easy to incorporate mass timber. We’re looking forward to seeing how this new resource boosts interest and use of CLT in projects of all shapes and sizes.” This partnership comes at a critical time in US construction as developers demand lower carbon, faster, and more beautiful buildings. Sterling’s presence on CLT Toolbox brings scalable, modern tools into the hands of structural engineers unlocking the full potential of mass timber design.